Metered dispense pot filler

Abstract

A pot filler including a metered dispense input device for dispensing of predetermined volumes of water. The pot filler illustratively includes an electrically operable valve operably coupled to a metered dispense input unit, and a control module configured to control operation of the electrically operable valve.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A metered dispense pot filler mounted on a wall having a fluid supply for use in dispensing fluid into a vessel resting on a support surface, the pot filler comprising:
 a metered dispense input device; 
 an electrically operable valve operably coupled to the metered dispense input device and in fluid communication with the fluid supply; 
 a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably coupled to and extending radially of the metered dispense input device; 
 a second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably coupled to and extending radially of the second end of the first arm; 
 a fluid outlet, in fluid communication with the fluid supply and coupled to the second end of the second arm; and 
 wherein the metered dispense input device includes:
 a shell defining a chamber; 
 an input controller disposed within the chamber and operably coupled with an electrically operable valve of the fluid supply; 
 a rotatable first dial supported by the shell and operably coupled to the input controller; 
 a rotatable second dial supported by the shell and operably coupled to the input controller; and 
 an activation button positioned above the first dial and in communication with the input controller, the activation button operably coupled to the first dial and the second dial. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational position of the first dial selects one of a first plurality of values corresponding with a numerical unit. 
     
     
       3. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 2 , wherein the rotational position of the second dial selects one of a second plurality of values corresponding with a fluid serving size. 
     
     
       4. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 3 , wherein actuation of the activation button communicates the values selected by the first dial and the second dial to the input controller for dispensing a volume of fluid defined by the numerical measurement unit selected by the first dial and the fluid serving size selected by the second dial. 
     
     
       5. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 1 , wherein the metered dispense input device further includes a manual valve fluidly coupled in series with the electrically operable valve, the manual valve supported by the second end of the second arm. 
     
     
       6. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 1 , wherein the metered dispense input device further includes:
 at least one potentiometer in communication with the input controller; 
 a first linkage operably coupling the first dial to the at least one potentiometer; and 
 a second linkage operably coupling the second dial to the at least one potentiometer. 
 
     
     
       7. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one potentiometer receives rotation inputs from the first dial and the second dial and communicates the rotation inputs to the input controller, the input controller including a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a valve controller to control operation of the electrically operable valve of the faucet. 
     
     
       8. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 6 , wherein when the activation button is actuated, a power supply is electrically coupled to the input controller. 
     
     
       9. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 1 , wherein the metered dispense input device further includes at least one dial rotation sensor operably coupled with the first dial and the second dial, the at least one dial rotation sensor in communication with the input controller. 
     
     
       10. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 9 , wherein the input controller receives rotation inputs from the first dial and the second dial via the at least one dial rotation sensor, the input controller including a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate with a valve controller to control operation of the electrically operable valve of the metered dispense pot filler. 
     
     
       11. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 1 , wherein the metered dispense input device further includes a power supply which is disposed within the chamber to power the metered dispense input device. 
     
     
       12. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 1 , wherein the metered dispense input device further includes a wireless transceiver configured to transmit wireless signals to control operation of the electrically operable valve. 
     
     
       13. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow sensor measuring a flow rate of water delivered to the fluid outlet, a memory operably coupled to the flow sensor for storing a plurality of measured flow rates, and a fail-safe timer based upon the plurality of measure flow rates for deactivating water flow after a predetermined time. 
     
     
       14. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 13 , further comprising an audible indicator for sounding an alert if the flow sensor detects water flow after the predetermined time. 
     
     
       15. A metered dispense pot filler mounted on a wall having a fluid supply for use in dispensing fluid into a vessel resting on a support surface, the pot filler comprising:
 a metered dispense input device; 
 an arm rotatably supported by the metered dispense input device; and 
 a fluid outlet, in fluid communication with the fluid supply and supported by the arm; 
 wherein the metered dispense input device includes:
 a shell defining a chamber; 
 an input controller disposed within the chamber and configured to communicate with an electrically operable valve; 
 a rotatable first dial supported by the shell and operably coupled to the input controller; 
 a rotatable second dial supported by the shell and operably coupled to the input controller; 
 an activation button positioned above the first dial, the activation button operably coupled to the input controller; 
 an electrically operable valve operably coupled to the metered dispense input device; and 
 a control module in communication with the input controller and configured to control operation of the electrically operable valve. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 15 , wherein the arm includes:
 a first arm having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably coupled to and extending radially of the metered dispense input device; and 
 a second arm having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably coupled to and extending radially of the second end of the first arm. 
 
     
     
       17. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 15 , wherein the rotational position of the first dial selects one of a first plurality of values corresponding with a numerical unit. 
     
     
       18. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 17 , wherein the rotational position of the second dial selects one of a second plurality of values corresponding with a fluid serving size. 
     
     
       19. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 15 , further comprising a wireless control module having a tube with a flow sensor fluidly coupled with the electrically operable valve. 
     
     
       20. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 19 , further comprising a circuit board supporting a detector, wherein the detector is configured to receive inputs from the flow sensor corresponding to a measured flow rate and transmit the inputs to operate the electrically operable valve. 
     
     
       21. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 15 , further comprising a temperature sensor fluidly coupled with the electrically operable valve. 
     
     
       22. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 15 , wherein the control module is in wireless communication with the input controller. 
     
     
       23. The metered dispense pot filler of  claim 15 , further comprising a flow sensor measuring a flow rate of water at the fluid outlet, a memory operably coupled to the flow sensor for storing a plurality of measured flow rates, and a fail-safe timer based upon the plurality of measured flow rates for deactivating water flow after a predetermined time.